The Real Film Festival is locked in for Maitland for the very first time this month, debuting at an outdoor cinema at Maitland Gaol. The eighth annual festival promises three weeks of showcasing the stories of the region and celebrating its unique identity - starting November 15. Real Film Festival director Annette Hubber said the film festival was developed by Screen Hunter as an opportunity for the region's content creators to showcase their work and build skills. In news today: Man allegedly found under a cabin at South Maitland after police pursuit "The festival started eight years ago. It is Screen Hunter's major program for the year. We identified that the Hunter didn't have its own film festival," she sad. "We thought in such a creative town, we needed to have a film festival. The idea was to look to grow the festival, and move out into every local government area in the Hunter region. "So we are excited to bring the festival to Maitland." The films, Execution Island and Sanctuary, will be screened at the former maximum security prison on Friday, November 29. Execution Island, which tells the tale of the two young Australians convicted of drug smuggling in Indonesia and were sentenced to death by firing squad, had sequences filmed at the site. "The film has been made to tell their story, and what they went through while they were in gaol," Ms Hubber said. "A lot of the footage was shot at Maitland Gaol, and the final scene. So when we watch the film at the outdoor cinema at the gaol, we will be right in It will be quite a moving experience." Venues across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Port Stephens will host festival events. It will features seven feature-length films and 20 short, independent documentaries. "Every year it grows. We already have nearly sold out opening night," Ms Hubber said. "We are encouraging people to come along, and support the event. We have some amazing short films." Workshops will also be on offer with one workshop teaching enthusiastic filmmakers how to use their iPhone like a pro and the other will teach participants about virtual reality. For tickets, and information about the workshops, visit realfilmfestival.com.au. In other news: